6 Days Marangu Route - Africa Natural Tours ( africanaturaltours.com )
6 Days Marangu Route: Africa
Natural Tours (For Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar) Tanzania safari company
in Moshi
Specialized
in: Wildlife safaris, Mountain climbing,
Cultural tourism and Beach holidays in East Africa
Contact
+255 653 679 958
Email: info@africanaturaltours.com
Website: www.africanaturaltours.com
6 Days Marangu Route.
The
Marangu Route has been referred to as the ‘Coca Cola’ route and this has led
potential climbers to think that it is an easy route to the summit. This is far
from the truth to be honest! The fact that it requires a minimum of 5 days to
complete it does not mean that it is easier than any other route. The only
reason that people say it is easier is because it is the only route up
Kilimanjaro where you sleep in huts as opposed to tents. An optional
acclimatization day at Horombo Huts is highly recommended for those with no
prior trekking in altitude experience under their belt. Advance booking of hut
accommodation is required to avoid any inconveniences. The route starts from
the park headquarters in the village of Marangu and heads straight westwards
towards Kibo. The trail goes through lush rainforest, heath and moorland to alpine
desert and ultimately the arctic zone at the peak and same route down.
Tour Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
Arusha: You will be picked up at the
Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in
Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek
and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain
gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel:
Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Marangu Gate (1860m) to
Mandara Hut (2700m)
After
breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the
Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can
begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the
impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some
primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide
can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the
Kenyan interior.
Distance
covered: 8.3km / 5.2mi
Approx.
time taken: 5 hours
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 3: Mandara Hut (2700m) to
Horombo Hut (3700m)
The
day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut,
you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone.
Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing
at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views
overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
Distance
covered: 12.5km / 7.8mi
Approx.
time taken: 9 hours
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 4: Acclimatization trek to Zebra
Rocks (4020m) then back to Horombo Hut (3700m)
Today
serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and greatly
improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing
breakfast, a 4 hour trek follows to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The distinctive
black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to
Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. You can relax in the
afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day.
Distance
covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx.
time taken: 4 hours
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 5: Horombo Hut (3700m) to Kibo
Hut (4700m)
Today’s
stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point”
which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less
plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the
Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 - 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an
early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi
Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi
Approx.
time taken: 7 hours
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 6: Kibo Hut (4700m) to Uhuru
Peak (5895m) & down to Horombo Hut (3700m)
Today
is “The Big Day” - the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around
midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at
5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach
Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly
start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night
and after a further hike of 1 - 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On
your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 - 2 hour break
before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
Distance
covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx.
time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3700m) to
Marangu Gate (1860m)
The
last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m)
where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the
tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be
back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to
your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel
in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate
your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Distance
covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Approx.
time taken: 8 hours
Meals:
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day 8: Depart Tanzania
The
day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending
on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs
before heading to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast Included
Included
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- 3 Season mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the Parkview Inn
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 2- way private airport transfers
Not Included
- Flights
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- A doctor for the group
For
more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com
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